RAK4631 Solar Node

A weatherproof solar node build using a RAK WisBlock starter kit and an IP67 junction box. The 3D-printed mounting board keeps the RAK board and 18650 batteries organized inside the enclosure. Works with both Meshtastic and MeshCore firmware.

STL files and additional details are available on the Thingiverse listing.

Bill of Materials

Component	Notes
RAK WisBlock Meshtastic Starter Kit (RAK19007 + RAK4631)	~$30 from RAK store or Amazon
IP67 junction box	Weatherproof enclosure
18650 battery terminals	AAA-to-18650 conversion contacts
N-connector pigtail (6")	Coil excess inside the box, or use a shorter 3" pigtail
Breather plug	Pressure equalization to prevent moisture buildup
USB-C 90° adapter	Left on the board for firmware upgrades without disassembly
Antenna	Choose based on your node location and deployment
Solar panel	For charging the 18650 cells

Assembly Notes

Mounting Board

Print the 3D mounting board (150x100_mounting_board.stl from Thingiverse). This holds the RAK WisBlock base board and 18650 battery terminals inside the junction box.

Enclosure

The IP67-rated junction box keeps everything weatherproof. Drill holes for the N-connector and breather plug. The breather plug equalizes pressure so the enclosure doesn't trap moisture from temperature swings.

Antenna

The N-connector pigtail connects the RAK board's IPEX antenna port to an external antenna. The stock 6-inch pigtail can be coiled inside the box, but a 3-inch version is cleaner if you can find one. Choose your external antenna based on where you're deploying — an omnidirectional antenna works well for most setups.

Firmware Access

The 90° USB-C adapter stays plugged into the RAK board so you can flash firmware updates without opening the enclosure — just pop open the box and plug in.

Firmware Compatibility

This build works with both:

• Meshtastic — the RAK starter kit comes pre-flashed with Meshtastic firmware. See the Meshtastic section for setup guides.
• MeshCore — see the MeshCore section for setup guides.